I.—4c

10

[B. I. LOBD.

12. The Chairman.] It is 3s. per horse-power per annum?—ln this case I heard it was to be £1,300 13. Mr. Scott.] Would you consider that charge of 3s. per horse-power per annum too much? —I think, myself, it could be reduced a little. 14. There is not much to be reduced, you know?— No. 15. Mr. Seddon.] After your long experience of the Coast, Mr. Lord, you tire quite of opinion that this pumping method is the only method left for most of the propositions? —Yes, I do not know of any great area that can be worked by the old gravitation system. 16. All those easy fields are worked out?— Yes. . 17. What is your knowledge of the Rimu—you have been over the field?— Many years ago I was all over it, and made many surveys. 18. It has been stated that the area that can be worked at the Rimu varies from 3,000 to 6,000 acres: do you think that a fair average of the ground left available? —In my opinion there is not so much. 19. Do you know Back Creek?— Yes. 20. That area is supposed to extend from Back Creek to Fisherman's Creek? —If it is auriferous there would be about that area you mention. 21. If the district were proved to be auriferous from those points named—Back Creek to Fisherman's Creek—this area would be about 6,000 acres?— Yes. The ground generally runs in leads. Although covering 6,000 acres, it would not all be golden ground. 22. You mentioned about Lake Hochstetter and the proposition that might be worked at Barrytown : do you remember if any scheme was started at Lake Hochstetter?—By electric power? 23. Yes?— Not that I know. There was a rumour about getting up a syndicate to work the district. I myself made the survey in 1871, I think. 24. Was that for a gravitation system?— Yes. That came dovwi about Nelson Creek. There was excellent ground at Owen's Look-out. When I went up to make the survey I saw some very excellent prospects. The worst of it was that when we brought in the water the washdirt was resting on a very steep siding with a blue marine bottom, and in a very short time it was washed away. It had no life as a isluicing field, consequently the race was a failure. 25. Do you think that electricity could be developed by water-races at the Hochstetter? —I am sure it could. You can let the Hochstetter fall out at the Ahaura Stream with a very short cut. 26. From what you have heard, £13,000 is to be charged or levied on these people who have made this application, and you think it excessive? —It seems to me to be a very large sum. 27. What do you think would be a fair charge? Do you think half that would be sufficient? — I could not say that. That is a thing that requires considerable thought. 28. Do you think that, in order to encourage an industry which is languishing in that particular district, some consideration should be given to it?— That is my opinion. It would help the matter if the charges were lightened as far as possible. The Government have a better knowledge of letting out the water than I have. They look at it from all points. 29. Do you think, if this proposition were successful, several others would go in for it at Barrytown and other places?—l have not a doubt about it. 30. And that would be a very good thing for the West Coast generally?— Yes. 31. Mr. Anderson.] Does this syndicate ask for the water free?— That I could not tell you. I did not know I was going to be called until I got here, and I am not prepared with my evidence. 32. What proportion of the Rimu terraces do you think is payable?—l think all in the vicinity of the old leads would pay for sluicing. There are some patches containing gold, but it mostly runs, as I knew it years ago,-in leads. 33. Could those terraces be worked profitably by individual miners?— Certainly, if they could get the water. 34. If the company there supplied water at a reasonable price, could it then be utilised by individual miners?—Of course it could; it could be farmed out to them. 35. It was said yesterday there are 6,000 acres on that Rimu terrace or terraces, and you said to-day there would not be much left after the 800 acres were taken out of it: which statement is correct?—l said that no one could tell the part that was auriferous from that which was not. No one can tell on a goldfield. You have to prospect. I said, in my opinion about 800 acres would pay, and there may be a lot more than that. Ido not know. 36. Mr. Seddon.] Rimu is in the middle of that area I named? —Yes. 37. Mr. Anderson.] Do you know if this syndicate has any other object than to facilitate mining? Are they going to establish any other industry?— That I cannot tell you. I have no interest in it either in shares or in any way. 38. Supposing the Government saw fit to give this syndicate the water for nothing, instead of charging them 3s. per horse-power per annum, do you think the individual miner would get the water cheaper, or would it make any difference to him I —lt is very hard to say what a syndicate would do. 39. You are an engineer: can you give an opinion?— Yes, but I would not care to give an opinion. 40. Mr. Seddon.] If the company got their water free, would they not be likely to sell it cheaper than the miners have to pay at the present time? —That is the inference, but you have to consider human nature. 41. Hon. Mr. R. McKenzie.] Do you know if there is a syndicate or company in existence? — I could not tell you even that. Of course it is rumoured all over that there is. 42. Assuming that there is a syndicate, you can give the Committee a fair idea of what it would cost to generate a horse-power by means of coal or steam per annum ? —Of course, looking at it in that way the charge would not be excessive.